Trump seeks Ukraine-Russia summit as ceasefire talks stall

On the front lines of eastern Ukraine, relentless Russian strikes highlight the urgency of ongoing efforts to end the war.

(NBC)- On the front lines of eastern Ukraine, relentless Russian strikes highlight the urgency of ongoing efforts to end the war. At the same time, the White House is working to arrange a face-to-face meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Trump said he would consider joining the talks after the two leaders meet, adding, “And then after that meeting, if everything works out, okay, I’ll meet and we’ll wrap it up.”

Finding a location for the summit is proving difficult. With Putin facing international war crimes charges, many countries that are members of the International Criminal Court are off limits. A White House official told NBC News that Budapest is being considered, along with Geneva.

While the White House says Putin has agreed to meet Zelenskyy, Russia has yet to confirm publicly. Ukraine and European allies are pushing for an immediate ceasefire, fearing Putin could stall, while Trump favors negotiating a broader peace deal, building on his recent summit with Putin in Alaska.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff defended the broader approach, arguing that ceasefires are fragile and easily broken without long-term guarantees. The administration also acknowledges the need for security assurances for Ukraine, but President Trump has ruled out sending U.S. ground troops as part of a European peacekeeping mission.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said limited U.S. military support from the air remains a possibility.

Still, the president admitted uncertainty about Putin’s intentions, saying, “I think Putin is tired of it. I think they’re all tired of it. But you never know… it’s possible that he doesn’t want to make a deal.”